The Third Power

Before I start with our topic for today, allow me to congratulate The Freeman on its 86th year of remarkably great news publishing. It has been a privilege and honor to be a small part of this icon in print journalism. Way to go, The Freeman!

In 1947, the NBA held its first Rookie Draft. Ed Ehlers, a graduate of Purdue University, was the third player picked by the Boston Celtics in the draft. Although he was not in the mold of Bob Cousy, Ehlers became the first in the long impressive line of third picks whose list reads like a who's who in the NBA.

Of course, the most famous No.3 pick was a lanky, tounge-wagging kid from North Carolina who could fly out of the arena. The Air Jordan legend came into existence, showcasing ridiculously gracefull aerial manuevers rivalling that of the Bolshoi Ballet. Portland should have had their brains scanned for passing-up on His Airness and picking Sam Bowie instead.

Four years prior to Jordan's frequent flying, an even lankier Kevin McHale was picked third by the Boston Celtics after Joe Barry Carroll and Darryll "Dr. Dunkenstien" Griffith were taken. From the mid-80's to the early 90's, the third picks weren't too cooperative on teams when the likes of Benoit Benjamin, Dennis Hopson, Chris Washburn and Charles Smith were immortalized into the all-time list of NBA Draft flops.

The last 12 years was a redemption as there had been successful picks at the third spot. Anfernee Hardaway (1993) and Grant Hill (1994) were the marquee college stars selected.

They had promising careers but knee and ankle injuries dropped their marketability. Penny and Grant were the most sought after names in the basketball hobby as during the mid-90's, the basketball collectibles market was exploding. It was also during that time that I smoked my wallet and then my wife had her own rare fireworks.

Hardaway's rookie cards then went as high as P1,200 while Hill's, in pristine condition books at P2,500. Some expensive pieces of cardboard!

Today, these two cards combined can be had for less than p400.

Jerry Stackhouse was picked third in 1995 and became the most popular rookie in the eyes of collectors which included talented newcomers like 2nd pick Antonio McDyess, Rasheed Wallace (4th) and Kevin Garnett (5th).

Shareef Abdur-Rahim was the 3rd selection in the talent-laden Class of '96 which had top pick Allen Iverson, Marcus Camby, Stephon Marbury, Antoine Walker, Jermaine O'Neal, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher.

1997 had an interesting third pick. Chauncey Billups, an undergraduate from the University of Colorado, early in his NBA career dribbled around four teams in four years before bouncing to Detroit and becoming one of the most consistent point guards in the league, topping it by his being named NBA Finals MVP in 2004.

Some of the more recent 3rd picks have been disappointments. Raef LaFrentz (1998) had knee problems, likewise Baron Davis (1999). Darius Miles (2000) was the first high schooler taken third overall and has become a meltdown. Add the attitude problems to his resume, you have a classic recipe for a complete bust. 2001's 3rd pick was Pau Gasol, the heart and soul of the Memphis Grizzlies. Take him out and Elvis will rise from the grave and usher the Grizzlies to limbo. Mike Dunleavy came out as the 3rd selection in the 2002 Draft but his off-and-on performance also kept fans undecided - hate him or love him.

Perhaps the most acclaimed draft class by basketball hobbyist was the 2003 batch headlined by Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade.

The hype generated by these three guys was too much that the fanfare created by Michael Jordan when he entered the league in 1984 looks like a fart in a storm. Carmelo was the 3rd pick in this group.

LeBron tried to lead the Cavs to the playoffs but faltered. Nonetheless, he proved to the world that he was a phenomenon in Nike's. Carmelo and the Nuggets made a late season surge managed to get to the first round of the playoffs. Wade played with Shaq and together they took Miami to the conference finals.

The Bulls seemed to have hit pay dirt last season with the selection of Ben Gordon at third overall. The rook from UConn has become one of the league's top 6th man averaging almost 15 points per game. Equally young backcourt mates Kirk Hinrich and Chris Duhon could remake Chicago as the most collector-friendly team in the coming years, reminiscent of the Jordan-Pippen-Kukoc era.

Unlike the past years, the 2005 class is stocked with recognizable collegiate players. Utah Jazz got the third selection in 6-3 point guard Derron Williams from Illinois. Whether this Jason Kidd prototype becomes an impact player for the Jazz still remains to be seen.

Things will be clearer on July 22 when trades and deals will commence between NBA teams. Tsismis has it that Kwame Brown will be going to the Lakers in exchange for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins. Lamar Odom is rumored to be traded for either Stephon Marbury or Steve Francis.

If either Marbury or Francis will be in LA and with Kobe around, Phil Jackson will again have to contain their bloated egos. These three guys combined have egos bigger than Uranus and Jackson will have diarrhea.

If Odom stays, Antonio Daniels is eyed to man the point for LA and with the starting unit of Kwame at power forward, Odom at small forward, Chris Mihm in the middle, and Kobe at shooting guard, this will be a strong line-up. But nothing is definite yet. Stay tuned guys.

Wazzup with our La Gloria. She has called and apologized to Kris Aquino for the justice sec's remarks and even asked Kristeta what sanctions she will impose on him. Hala oy, is this renegade pampered lady whose annual income is atrociously bigger than what most towns earn really that important in this country following the path of perdition? Naunsa naman ka Glory Be?

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